Monday, March 09, 2009

Lindt Chocolate Nomination Protest

Recently, Lindt Chocolate made an unwise business decision when it chose to donate 10 cents from the sale of each Gold Bunny (an Easter candy product) to Autism Speaks. Lindt is now the target of a boycott by the autistic community. You can read more about this boycott onseveralautisticcivilrightsblogs. To sign a petition asking Lindt to withdraw its support for Autism Speaks, please visit the ASAN petition page on Change.org.

Lindt also is sponsoring a competition called Unsung Heroes of Autism, which "recognizes and honors individuals who are making a difference in the lives of others." I presume that the reference to "others" means that the individuals to be recognized are non-autistics who are busily campaigning to eradicate autism and that, in accordance with the usual pattern of denial shown by Autism Speaks and its supporters, nobody at Lindt contemplated the possibility that any autistics might submit entries. For the benefit of those who would like to expand Lindt's horizons, I've reprinted the contest information below:

Between February 26 and March 11, 2009, you can nominate yourself or someone you know to be one of two UNSUNG HEROES OF AUTISM who will be honored at a celebratory event at the New York Palace Hotel on April 1st to kick off Autism Awareness Month.

$5,000 towards their efforts and initiatives to help the cause.Personal highlight featured in the June issue of Cookie magazine.Travel for two, to and from the Lindt UNSUNG HEROES OF AUTISM Event in New York City.Two night stay at the Palace Hotel for the Lindt UNSUNG HEROES OF AUTISM Event.

To nominate yourself or someone you know, please submit a 250-500 word description of how the nominee embodies an UNSUNG HERO OF AUTISM. A panel of judges representing Lindt & Sprüngli and Cookie magazine will review the submissions based on the following criteria:

Demonstration of a strong and sustained commitment to the autism cause, including a personal sacrifice.Illustration of a creative and innovative concept that furthers the goals of fighting autism, raising awareness and increasing research initiatives in his or her community.Impact of individual contributions on the lives of others or on their community who are affected by autism.Identifiable changes that have been the result of his or her activities.

I'd like to encourage my readers to go to the Unsung Heroes site (lindtunsungheroes.com) and nominate autistic civil rights advocates who have made personal sacrifices in fighting bigotry, who have been involved in creative and innovative protests, whose individual efforts have increased society's respect for neurological diversity, and whose efforts have led to identifiable changes in the behavior of organizations that have been targeted by our protests—including, it is to be hoped, Lindt Chocolate.Edit: Act quickly—nominations are being accepted only until 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday 3/11/09.

23 Comments:

Act fast - by Wednesday (March 11th)

"....CONTEST begins at 12:00 AM ET on 2/26/09 AND ends at 11:59 PM ET on 3/11/09. ALL entries must be RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM ET on 3/11/09.

ELIGIBILITY: "Nominees" must be legal residents of the 48 continental United States and the District of Columbia who are 21 or older as of 2/26/09. "Nominators" must be legal residents of the 48 United States or the District of Columbia who are 21 years or older. Individuals can nominate themselves. A Nominator must have a Nominee's permission to enter him/her into the contest. [...]Essays exceeding 500 words will automatically be disqualified. Only one (1) entry per person will be accepted. [...]OWNERSHIP/USE: By submitting an entry, Nominator warrants and represents that he/she has permission from the Nominee to submit the essay, such essay is Nominator's original creation (a modification of an existing work does not qualify as original), he/she is the sole copyright owner of the essay, that the essay is true and verifiable, that the essay has not been previously published, submitted to or entered in any competition, and that his/her entry does not violate any law, regulation or any right of any third-party, including, without limitation, the publicity rights or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person's personal or proprietary right. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entry that it deems to be inappropriate, obscene or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules, not in good taste or not in keeping with Sponsor's image, all as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion."

Wow, just wow! I already knew about the bunny from Bev's and Cripchick's blogs, but the "unsung heroes" thing is just too much.Since when are the curebies "unsung"???They pat on each others shoulders all the time, wallow in collective self-pity, and aggrandise themselves on every level, for example their delusion, that they actually make a positive impact on our lives.

"Since when are the curebies "unsung"???They pat on each others shoulders all the time, wallow in collective self-pity, and aggrandise themselves on every level, for example their delusion, that they actually make a positive impact on our lives."

Yeah, like a song I've heard too many times....like a super commercial pop tune that plays on AM radio....

It's a good idea because maybe alternative entries with this focus could alter some peoples thinking but being a model advocate/hero in their eyes (as they view things now) is what I'd like to avoid. What ever respect I gained from them by being their hero would lower my self-respect.

"Since when are the curebies "unsung"???They pat on each others shoulders all the time, wallow in collective self-pity, and aggrandise themselves on every level" What have you anti-cure loud mouths done for those who are suffering, with your propaganda and pseudo-intellectual complaints? Oh, how dare anyone express pity about the miserable truth about what's going on.

I wish I'd saved the nomination I sent in. It won't win. Not only does it extoll the virtues of the person I nominated, it also points out that unlike curebies who get pity or professionals who get to be Good People, my friend just does what my friend does because it's right. Like boycotting chocolate is right this year.

>> What have you anti-cure loud mouths done for those who are suffering, with your propaganda and pseudo-intellectual complaints? Oh, how dare anyone express pity about the miserable truth about what's going on. <<

It's only miserable because people like you promote it that way, troll! See ya!

I think we should leave lurker alone. S/he is an autistic person (I know this from other online conversations with him/her) who has a lot internalised oppression and self-hatred. What s/he needs is help to love him/herself. Just the way s/he is.

"I think we should leave lurker alone. S/he is an autistic person (I know this from other online conversations with him/her) who has a lot internalised oppression and self-hatred. What s/he needs is help to love him/herself. Just the way s/he is."

That's a very good attitude to have, generally, and I'm sure you're a very nice person. But it's the Lurker who should leave us alone.

He's really Billy Cresp, and he has been plaguing several forums, LB/RB, Natural Variations, and Change.org, that I know of. I tried to help him, really wanted to, and traded a dozen personal emails with him within one day. You're right, he needs to learn to love and accept himself, just the way he is, but he hates himself, and is consumed with anger and bitterness towards anyone more capable than he is, which is apparently, everyone! If you suggested that he seek professional help, (which he desperately needs), he would only sneer and say, "Yeah, and who's gonna PAY for that, YOU?" I don't see any way to help him; he's one of those guys you'll read about in the newspaper, or hear about on CNN. He's bad news.

As I said before I have property in dumpwater, florida. It's called dumpwater lake. You could go boating and fishing in the lake but but the lake is polluted with too much bullshit.

I have an idea on how I can make use of this property. We can charge Best and others from the mercury militia and others from autism speaks to unload their bullshit into our lake.

We could charge $10 per pound of bullshit. A ton is equal to 2000 pounds in our country. This means if we multiply 10 X $2000 then we both can make $20,000 per ton of bullshit that they dump into our lake.

What do you say Clay, David, ABFH, Kassiane, Timelord, and others?

In fact, Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris could dump their bullshit into their lake and we can make plenty of money off their bullshit.

I think, Alison Singer, with all of the money this woman has can afford our fair and decent prices of dumping her bullshit into dumpwater lake.

Since, Lindt Chocolate can afford 10 cents to donate to autism speaks for every Lindt Gold Bunny bought I personally think they could Timelord and I's resaonable prices of dumping their bullshit into Dumpwater, Fl.

Even Jonathan Mitchell, I think could afford to unload his self-sorrowing bullshit into dumpwater lake.

Jonathan Mitchell definetly has tons of bullshit he needs to unload into dumpwater lake.

As you are very well aware, the prevalence of children being diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is increasing at an alarming rate. We would appreciate your assistance in helping us try to identify if the use of epidural analgesia/anesthesia and Pitocin during childbirth have any association with the development of autism.

If you are willing to participate in a survey questionnaire, please email Elaine DeLack, RN at elaine@edmsllc.com and the questionnaire will be emailed to you for your completion.

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About

This blog began its journey in May 2005, countering misinformation and stereotypes about autism. The title was chosen to make clear that autistic people are not changelings or aliens, but are human beings who have just as much right to inhabit Planet Earth as anyone else.
Now, as it reaches the end of its five-year mission, I would like to thank my readers and everyone who is working toward understanding and acceptance. May you find blessings wherever you go.
— abfh, May 31, 2010